Intraneural Ganglion of the Thumb Digital Nerve - A Case Report and Review of Literature

Intraneural ganglia are rare, benign cysts that form within the epineurium of the affected nerve. Patients present with features of compressive neuropathy, including numbness. We report a 74-year-old male patient with pain and numbness on his right thumb of 1-year duration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion with a possible scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint connection. The articular branch was not identified during the surgery and decompression with excision of the cyst wall was done. A recurrence of the mass was noted 3 years later, but the patient was asymptomatic and no additional intervention was done. Decompression alone can relieve the symptoms of an intraneural ganglion, but excision of the articular branch may be essential in preventing its recurrence.